Manchester United are plotting a move for Lyon star Afonso Moreira, who Ruben Amorim brought through at Sporting Lisbon. Moreira, 21, is enjoying an impressive debut season in France, having left Sporting for just €2m (£1.7m) last summer.
The winger, who can play on both flanks, has racked up eight goals and 10 assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this campaign, helping Lyon reach the Europa League knockouts and sit third in Ligue 1. Moreira’s value has skyrocketed over the course of this season and now United are weighing up a bid.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the Red Devils have identified Moreira in their search to sign a new left-winger in the summer transfer window. But United will face competition from clubs in Serie A and the Bundesliga.
Lyon have him tied down on a long-term contract until 2029 while Sporting boast a 20 per cent sell-on clause. After coming through their academy, Moreira made his debut for the Portuguese giants in August 2023.
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Yet he left Sporting with an ‘unfulfilled dream’. That’s because Amorim only gave Moreira 61 minutes of senior football before he was loaned out to Gil Vicente and made just five appearances.
Even after Amorim’s ill-fated switch to United, Moreira became surplus to requirements. Last month, Moreria gave an interview with A Bola and was asked whether his lack of first-team football left him ‘frustrated’.
“I wouldn’t say frustrated, perhaps it was just another unfulfilled dream,” the 21-year-old replied. “At the time, I was decided on Lyon, but of course it was very difficult to leave the club where I grew up.
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View 2 ImagesAfonso Moreira has thrived since leaving Sporting Lisbon(Image: Anthony Bibard/by FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
“I was a kid who felt very connected to the club. That dream remains unwritten, but now it’s time to look ahead. If God willed it so, there must be a reason… I always did my job with the intention of establishing myself in the first team.
“It didn’t happen, but I’m grateful to all the coaches who gave me the opportunity to wear the Sporting jersey… I have nothing to complain about.”
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United, who sacked Amorim in January, have also been linked to Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye. Left-wing is one of several areas which the Red Devils are looking to recruit for, as they plan to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.
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